Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the $22,805.34 cap for private institutions (effective August 1, 2017). The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution. NOTE: All scholarships, other federal, state, institutional, or employer-based aid or assistance (excluding loans and Title IV funds) will be deducted from the student’s tuition/fees in order to determine the amount submitted to VA for certification purposes.

SMU supports our valued Armed Services members and veterans. We are participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program for the 2017-2018 academic year. Click here To read more about the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The following colleges/professional schools will participate for the 2017-2018 academic year, as follows:

Maximum Amount Per Academic Year

Number of Students

Cox School of Business (Graduate)

$7,500

Unlimited

Dedman College (Graduate)

Up to 50%

5

Dedman School of Law

Up to 50%

15

The Guildhall

$7,500

8

Meadows School of the Arts (Graduate)

Up to 50%

Unlimited

Perkins School of Theology

Up to 50%

10

Simmons School of Ed. & HD (Graduate)

Up to 50%

10

Undergraduate - All

Up to 50%

50

Not all fees can be certified to VA. For example, the Global Course Program Fee (Grad Cox) cannot be certified to VA. If you have questions, please contact the VA Certifying Official at VABenefits@smu.edu

Veterans who wish to be considered for the Yellow Ribbon Program must complete and submit the YRP application to the SMU VA Certifying Official. Click here for the application. Please note that this is a first-come, first-served basis.

**NOTE: Active Duty, spouses of Active Duty and Fry Scholarship recipients are NOT eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Veterans MUST be eligible for 100% of the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit in order to qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Also, students must maintain satisfactory progress, conduct, and attendance according to the regularly prescribed standards of the University in order to receive Yellow Ribbon funds. Academic probation is a serious warning a student is not making satisfactory academic progress. Therefore, a student on academic probation does not qualify for Yellow Ribbon.